21.   But the data does not suggest Japan is in a deflationary spiral, a Statistics Bureau official said, citing increasing corporate profits and wages.

22.   China will increase deficit spending in the next year to help pull the economy out of its deflationary spiral, a senior official said Wednesday.

23.   China unveiled new steps Wednesday to break out of its deflationary spiral, barring new projects to make products ranging from video compact disk players to toothpaste.

24.   Consumption is stagnant and officials fear a deflationary spiral unless the economy is somehow jump-started.

25.   Consumption is stagnant and officials fear a destructive deflationary spiral unless the economy is somehow jump-started.

26.   Crisis could push Japan into a deflationary spiral.

27.   Economy minister Heizo Takenaka said Japan has entered a state of deflation but has not stumbled into a deflationary spiral.

28.   Government officials say Japan has not sunk into a deflationary spiral, although they acknowledge it is in a state of deflation.

29.   In a deflationary spiral, prices would tumble not only for food and clothing, but also for stocks, houses and other assets.

30.   Last month, he said falling prices and wages in Japan could trigger a deflationary spiral that would push Japan deeper into recession.